|
Quietly building a profile
as a prime example of the UK's young melodic folk stars, in Sigh No
More they finally released one of the most addictive debut albums of
the year and narrowly missed the Top 10 on its release. The capacity of
this gig was never going to be enough for their fans; it apparently
sold out in two minutes.
About to jet off for the warmer climes of India and Australia, the band seemed to
be enjoying the cold conditions of their home city, and with mulled
wine and mince pies on hand, their warm, comforting songs accompanied
the conditions well.
The set began as the album does, with the title track. Like Awake
My Soul and I Gave You All, it follows the typical Mumford & Sons
formula of gentle strumming that builds and builds, injects a pop hook
and finishes it off with a hard-to-resist anthemic chorus. The songs
are simple, well played and complemented by superb vocal
harmonies throughout.
The four of them look like a scruffy bunch of troubadours joined
together as a band and give the impression of having equal status.
While the amiable Marcus Mumford took the lead with his earthy, raspy
vocals, banjoist Winston Marshall and keyboard/accordion maestro Ben
Lovett were both relaxed and jovial, joking with their audience with
Marshall apologising to his uncle Tim for the swearwords of Little
Lion Man.
In an hour long set (all they were allowed due to the local
restrictions), they played the most dynamic tracks from the album. A
two-man horn section arrived in time for the appropriately titled
Winter Winds, adding some pomp and fanfare, and together with the banjo
made the band faintly reminiscent of Beirut's less experimental
moments.
But seeing as this was a special event, they threw in a
couple of curveball cover versions as well. Roger Miller's Not
In Nottingham from Disney's Robin Hood film was a slow bluesy waltz
that gave Mumford a chance to showcase his impressive whistling
skills, and the Bob Dylan/Old Crow Medicine Show bluegrass
hoedown Wagon Wheel was a welcome uptempo addition. Lovett moved over
for a bash on the previously ignored drumkit as they ended the gig
with new song Whispers In The Dark, hinting at a rockier direction for
their future.
An unusual choice of venue for a band who have already sold out two
much bigger London dates next March at the Shepherd's Bush Empire, tonight's gig was a chance to
experience a talented young British band in their ascendancy doing it
their way. If only all cold, wintry evenings were like this.
BUY Mumford & Sons - Sigh No More
Comments
|
 |
| 
ALBUM:
